Information Systems

We're celebrating [World Product Day 2026](https://www.worldproductday.com/) by getting beyond the hype to hear 4 product people tell us how they are really using AI in their day to day work! * **Rahul:** Discovery, Rewired: From Transcripts to Production with AI - the story of how Global Dairy Trade took an idea from interviews to the real world * **Peony:** A product team of one - how a solo PM uses AI to operate in the goldilocks zone, just enough process, just enough output, moving fast enough to learn and find PMF * **Darren:** Product discovery with agents - from strategy to roadmaps * **Emilie:** AI in product design - allowing the designer to focus on the human tasks The event will start with **networking at 5.30pm**, followed by the **talk from 6pm!** **About our speakers:** **Rahul Singh** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulsinghnz/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulsinghnz/) Product Manager at GDT (Global Dairy Trade), building a modular SaaS platform across a global auction ecosystem. Before GDT he spent a decade shipping digital products at IAG and Roam Digital, working across insurance and enterprise SaaS. Outside the day job, Rahul runs AI PM Briefing, a weekly briefing for product managers on what's actually shipping in AI (tools, patterns, case studies), and is the author of ‘Don't Think, Change‘- a field guide to behaviour change for product teams. **Peony Pangputt** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peonypangputt/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/peonypangputt/) Product Manager at FileInvite, a B2B SaaS platform helping US commercial lenders automate the collection of loan information faster. Peony joined at Series A and has been navigating a triple challenge: a new product, a new geography, and a new customer segment all at once. Before making the jump into the startup world, she spent her early career in rebuilding legacy replacements products at Stuff and Auckland Transport. **Darren Neo:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-neo/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-neo/) Product Manager at Xplor Technologies, leading payment onboarding strategy and delivery. Darren started his career as a developer before moving into project delivery and product management, focused on building high-impact solutions that improve business growth, operational efficiency, and customer experience. His technical foundation drives his passion for bringing AI into modern product practices and delivery. He is also the Auckland Community Lead for [AI Collective New Zealand](https://www.aicollective.com/chapters/nz). **Emilie Park:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliepark/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliepark/) Senior Product Designer at [Actionstep](https://www.actionstep.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com), working on enterprise legal SaaS products across practice management and legal accounting. Before joining Actionstep, she worked across enterprise platforms, operational tools and large-scale service ecosystems, contributing to products and design systems used at global enterprise and SOE (State-Owned Enterprise) scale. Formerly a front-end engineer, and before that an advertising creative working on corporate campaigns for Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electric and Samsung Mobile Display HR. Outside of her day job, Emilie leads the [Friends of Figma Auckland](https://friends.figma.com/auckland/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) design community group. Huge thanks to Auckland Transport for hosting and Pendo for sponsoring this event! Livestream details are TBC - watch here for updates! As always the livestream will kick off from just before 6pm. This event is part of the global [Mind the Product World Product Day](https://www.worldproductday.com/) celebrations. We're a little early as World Product Day is actually on 20 May, but, y'know, timezones...

Hands-on Adobe Photoshop session. Get to know the basics of Adobe Photoshop and explore how this essential editing tool brings images to life in this hands-on session.

Most AI meetups end up as just networking. **We’re different.** At **AI Tool Explorers Night \| Connect & Make New Friends**, you’ll: ✨ Walk away with a *real learning nugget* (a tool, workflow, or strategy you can use immediately) ✨ Connect with people who share your curiosity for AI, productivity, and automation ✨ Enjoy a fun, casual setting where new ideas and friendships spark naturally 👉 **Our promise:** every session delivers structure, substance, and takeaways you can use when you get home. ### 📅 Event Flow * **6:00–6:15 PM** → Arrivals & intros * **6:15–6:45 PM** → AI demo / learning nugget * **6:45–7:00 PM** → Q&A and group discussion * **7:00–8:00 PM** → Networking & contact sharing ⚡ Please hold networking until after the presentation so we can all learn together. Plenty of time at the end to connect and exchange cards! **Let's explore AI Tools that actually *work* in our day-to-day life!** *** #ChatGPT #Claude #Grok #Gemini #Perplexity #DeepSeek #NotebookLM #Cursor #GitHubCopilot #Replit #Windsurf #v0dev #Lovable #Zapier #Makecom #n8n #Descript #OpusClip #Synthesia #Runway #Sora #Kling #Veo #PikaLabs #LTXStudio #AdobeFirefly #Vidu #Hailuo #LumaDreamMachine #Wisecut #Elaiio #Capsule #Filmora #Gling #Magisto #AdobePremierePro #ElevenLabs #Suno #Udio #Soundraw #Riffusion #Mubert #BeatovenAI #AIVA #Loudly #SplashPro #Soundful #MagentaStudio #WavTool #MakeBestMusic #BandLabSongStarter #TadAI #EcrettMusic #Midjourney #DALLE3 #CanvaMagicStudio #NotionAI #Gamma #Fathom #FirefliesAI #MLX

Have you been thinking about trying self-defense training, but do not want a loud, aggressive, or overly competitive environment? This free intro class is a simple way to get started. Maryland Systema offers practical self-defense training for adults in Rockville with a focus on movement, awareness, breathing, posture, and calm under pressure. This class is designed for beginners and first-timers who want real-world self-defense training in a welcoming setting. You do not need experience. You do not need to be in top shape. You do not need a martial arts background. You just need to show up ready to learn. This is not a sport-based class built around winning points, memorizing routines, or trying to look impressive. It is a more practical approach to adult self-defense training that helps you stay balanced, aware, and functional when things feel uncertain. If you have been searching for self-defense classes in Rockville, beginner self-defense near you, or practical self-defense training for adults, this class is a good place to start. **What you will work on** * Breathing and staying calm under pressure * Movement that improves balance and mobility * Awareness and posture * Simple partner drills * Practical self-defense training for beginners **Who this class is for** * Adults new to self-defense training * Beginners looking for a low-pressure class * People who want practical self-defense instead of sport martial arts * Adults in Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Rockville, and nearby areas looking for realistic self-defense classes **What to wear** Please wear comfortable workout clothes. No uniform is required. **Why start with this class** This free intro class gives you a chance to experience the training, meet the group, and see whether Maryland Systema is the right fit for you before joining regular weekly classes. **RSVP** Reserve your spot and come try a beginner-friendly self-defense class in Rockville.

This is our weekly training session. NOVA Jujutsu is a self-defense focused system incorporating Geri (Kicking), Atemi (Striking), Uke (Blocking), Tai Sabakai (Body Movement), Tai Hodoki (Escapes), Kansetsu Waza (Joint Locks), Nage Waza (Throwing), Shime Waza (Choking), Katame Waza (Grappling), Tantojutsu (Knife), Bojutsu (Bo), Kenjutsu (Sword), and Kata (Forms). Come on down to a class and see for yourself what this group has to offer. You will get a great workout! You will have an awesome learning experience! You will meet some good people! We look forward to meeting you. See you there. TAGS: japanese, martial arts, self-defense, jujutsu, jujitsu, juijitsu, bujutsu, defense, karate, koppo, kenjutsu, bojutsu, tantojutsu

Join our new group’s third meeting. Meet fellow tech enthusiasts west of the beltway. ​Because our group is new, we have a poll for the direction we want to take this new group. ​[https://submatrix.net/article/Meetups/e9ym4fr8Ca](https://submatrix.net/article/Meetups/e9ym4fr8Ca) ​For this event, we will be running a working meetup. ​Our meetings are a great place to work on and show off what you do. We are always welcoming. ​Our format is great for people who have started on but not finished one or several side projects. ​We will start off with basic introductions and what we are working on and what our goals are. We’ll break the rest of the meeting into two working sessions. In between, we’ll do a quick check-in to see how folks are going. If the RSVP is full, come anyway. We'll likely have space.

**ProductTank NoVA is back!** After a brief hiatus, we are relaunching the chapter with a format that cuts out the fluff and gets straight to the reality of building. Every product feed is flooded with AI hype right now, but what does it actually look like on the ground? Instead of a polished keynote, we are hosting **0 to 1 with AI: Real Product Talks**—a "Show & Tell" featuring 3–4 lightning talks focused on the intersection of AI and product. The framing for the talks is simple: *"Here is what I'm building, and here is what I'm stuck on."* We want to look at the messy, 0-to-1 reality of integrating AI into your workflows and products. *(Want to share what you are working on? Reach out! The bar is low-pressure, just 10–12 minutes to talk about a real AI problem you are trying to solve.)* **Agenda:** * **5:30 PM - 6:00 PM:** Doors open, networking, & name tags * **6:00 PM - 6:10 PM:** Welcome + Chapter Relaunch Intro * **6:10 PM - 7:30 PM:** Lightning Talks (Three 12-min talks + 5 mins Q&A each, with a 5-min stretch break) * **7:30 PM - 8:00 PM:** Open networking * **8:00 PM:** Soft close **Location & Logistics:** Herndon Fortnightly Library (Extended Hours Meeting Room) 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170 * **Parking:** We'll meet at the library, located just behind the Herndon Municipal Center. There is plenty of free public parking available around the municipal center. * **Metro & Bus:** Take the Silver Line to Herndon Metro Station, then connect via Fairfax Connector Route 921 or 950 to Historic Downtown Herndon. * **Driving (via VA-267/Dulles Toll Rd):** Take Exit 10 North (Centreville Rd, which becomes Elden St). Turn left onto Station St or Lynn St. * **Driving (via VA-286/Fairfax Co Pkwy):** Take the Elden St West exit. Turn right onto Lynn St. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and getting back to building!